Metzler Thomas, Tulessin Margaret, Groll Tanja, Rezvan Mahsa, Riedl Anna-Chiara, Aupperle-Lellbach Heike, Klopfleisch Robert, Mogler Carolin, Steiger Katja
Vergleichende experimentelle Pathologie (CEP), School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland.
Institut für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie, School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, Trogerstraße 18, 81675, München, Deutschland.
Pathologie (Heidelb). 2025 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s00292-025-01452-8.
Liver tumours are common and deadly diseases in humans and are often associated with a poor prognosis. To better understand the mechanisms and potential therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, experimental animal models are used in preclinical research and spontaneously occurring tumours in companion animals can also be investigated as models.
We provide an overview of commonly used animal models in hepatic cancer research, including their applications, advantages, and disadvantages. Additionally, we present pathological findings of the most frequent spontaneous liver neoplasms in dogs and cats.
We performed a review of the scientific literature and of findings in animal models. Additionally, we performed an analysis of case statistics from a veterinary pathology submission laboratory.
Mouse models are most frequently used in the study of hepatic tumours. These include xenografts, in which human tumour cells are injected, chemically and diet-induced models for studying environmental and metabolic factors, and genetically modified mice. In addition to mice, other species such as rats, rabbits, and woodchucks are also utilized. Woodchucks carry their own hepatitis virus, making them particularly suitable for investigating viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, domestic animals such as dogs and cats develop spontaneous liver neoplasms, which makes them valuable models. Dogs predominantly develop hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas, whereas benign, cystic bile duct lesions are more common in cats.
A wide range of animal models is available for various research questions. Choosing the appropriate model is crucial for the success of any study and depends on multiple factors.
肝肿瘤是人类常见的致命疾病，通常预后较差。为了更好地理解肝细胞癌和胆管癌的发病机制及潜在治疗方法，实验动物模型被用于临床前研究，伴侣动物中自然发生的肿瘤也可作为模型进行研究。
我们概述了肝癌研究中常用的动物模型，包括它们的应用、优点和缺点。此外，我们还介绍了犬猫最常见的自发性肝肿瘤的病理结果。
我们对科学文献和动物模型的研究结果进行了综述。此外，我们对一家兽医病理送检实验室的病例统计数据进行了分析。
小鼠模型在肝肿瘤研究中使用最为频繁。这些模型包括异种移植模型（将人类肿瘤细胞注入）、用于研究环境和代谢因素的化学诱导和饮食诱导模型以及基因编辑小鼠。除了小鼠，大鼠、兔子和土拨鼠等其他物种也被利用。土拨鼠携带自身的肝炎病毒，使其特别适合研究病毒发病机制。此外，犬猫等家畜会发生自发性肝肿瘤，这使它们成为有价值的模型。犬主要发生肝细胞腺瘤和癌，而猫则更常见良性囊性胆管病变。
针对各种研究问题可使用多种动物模型。选择合适的模型对任何研究的成功都至关重要，这取决于多个因素。
